What is it?

Many health practitioners believe leaky gut syndrome – or intestinal permeability – can happen when undigested particles pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream¹.

Leaky gut can be caused by:

• Candida overgrowth and dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance in the gut)¹
• Chronic stress¹
• Poor diet¹
• Toxin overload¹.

What happens?

These undigested objects – toxins and germs – cause inflammation and affect the gut wall’s permeability (‘leaky gut’), initiating an immune response¹. Leaky gut has been closely associated with the following conditions:

• Adrenal fatigue²
• Arthritis²
• Autoimmune disease²
• Chronic fatigue syndrome³
• Depression and anxiety²
• Eczema (and other skin issues)²
• Hypothyroidism²
• Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)²
• Nutrient malabsorption².

What can you do?

Diet

First of all, you’re advised to reduce or – better – avoid sugary foods and gluten. Instead, consider introducing into your diet:

• Anti-inflammatory foods – beets, blueberries, bok choy, broccoli, celery, chia seeds, coconut oil, flaxseeds, ginger, green leafy vegetables, pineapples, turmeric and walnuts⁴
• Fermented vegetables – kimchi, kvass and sauerkraut²
• Omega oils – linseed oil and Omega 3:6:9 Balance oil
• Raw cultured dairy – amasai, kefir, yogurt and some butters and cheeses².

Supplementation

And why not consider supplements?

The Finchley Clinic provides the following food supplements which can help ease leaky gut and reduce food intolerance:

• Aloe Gold Natural (1,000ml and 485ml) – may help healthy digestion, immunity and skin

• Colostrum Plus (120 capsules) – also for gastritis, intestinal candida and food allergies

• Glutamine (100g, 200g and 90 capsules) – ideal for healing troubled guts

• Marshmallow Formula (60 capsules) – may help maintain normal intestinal permeability

• Mindlinx (60 capsules) – supports healthy function of the gastrointestinal tract

• Permatrol (90 capsules) – includes intestinal-supportive nutrients like L-glutamine, N-acetyl glucosamine and probiotic bacteria

• Restore (32floz, 16floz and 8floz) – works to restore the tight junctions of the gut

• Slippery Elm Intensive (75g) – also contains gamma oryzanol, licorice, marshmallow and aloe vera extracts, combining to support gut permeability.